| Safety Tips on How to Protect
Yourself in an Emergency
If you are in an abusive and violent
relationship YOU MUST HAVE A 'SAFETY PLAN'.
It is very difficult to think clearly in a
crisis, so you need to think of all details of a plan beforehand, so you
can automatically follow it. Be practical and realistic. It is
not a bad idea to keep such stuff at a friend's place in whom you confide,
or in your car. AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE DO NOT
TELL THE ABUSER OF YOUR PLAN!!!
This safety plan should include:
- How to get out of the house
- Learn where to get help; memorize
emergency phone numbers
- Where to go... relative or a friend's house, women's
shelter, hotel
- Cash, credit cards, check book.
(Realize that without this you and your children cannot check into a
hotel or eat meals.)
- Car keys and license
- Important papers (birth
certificates, insurance card, bank account information, passport,
legal papers, etc.)
- Clothes, basic needs stuff, medications.
- Important phone numbers
- Train children to call the police
immediately
- Train them how to use the escape route,
keep them informed and prepare them for emergency. (the same way
you would train them to escape if the house catches fire)
If you are at home & you are being
threatened or attacked:
- Stay away from the kitchen (the abuser
can find weapons, like knives, there)
- Stay away from bathrooms, closets or
small spaces where the abuser can trap you
- Get to a room with a door or window to
escape
- Get to a room with a phone to call for
help; keep a cell phone with you all the time. lock the abuser outside if you can
- Call 911 (or your local emergency
number) right away for help; get the dispatcher's name
- Think about a neighbor or friend you can
run to for help.
- If a police officer comes, tell him/her
what happened; get his/her name & badge number. DO FILE A
REPORT
- Get medical help if you are hurt.
Go to the hospital
- Take pictures of bruises or injuries
- Call a domestic violence program or
shelter
If you are living on your own and are being
harassed by the abuser:
- Change the locks on ALL doors and keep
the windows locked at all times.
- Get an unlisted phone number, change
your phone number, get a caller ID and scan your calls
- Talk to the police and ask for their
help.
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